Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, High Technology

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Posting Information:

The internal deadline is January 8 2026 at 11:59pm.

This position is contingent on funding.

This is a Career Path position (USG 7/8) . The final level will be determined based on demonstrated skills and experience.
Anticipated hiring ranges:

USG 7: $60384- $75481

USG 8: $65973 - $82466

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Vision Rehabilitation Specialist High Technology is responsible for assessing patients for adaptive technologies for the blind and visually impaired determines the patients eligibility for government funding towards the purchase of technology devices and provides training with visual aids. The Vision Rehabilitation Specialist High Technology works as part of a vision rehabilitation team comprised of optometrists optometry student interns an optometric resident a vision therapist a high technology assessment specialist a counsellor a counselling intern and a social work intern.

Key Accountabilities

Clinical/Home Assessments

Review patient intake information other clinical assessments and reports prior to patient assessment to understand patients condition history capabilities and goals.

Communicate and collaborate with rehab team other health care workers and teachers in patients circle of care and provide input and recommendations for patients rehabilitation program.

Visit/assess/work with patient in the clinic community or home setting.

Perform high technology assessments exploring a variety of adaptive technologies for the blind or visually impaired patient. Devices explored might include Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems adapted computer systems and combined systems. Consider different input technology (keyboard only keyboard and mouse braille displays voice recognition) related to productivity recreation and special accessibility programs. Consider use of appropriate environmental modifications such as ergonomics illumination and size control speech output settings tactual markings.

Identify modifications and alternatives to adapt vision aids for accommodation of other disabilities.

Train patient in the use of high technology or low technology adaptive equipment.

Identify accessibility problems in the home environment and suggest solutions.

Adjust assessment and communication styles as required for patient.

Refer patient for additional services (e.g. other services within clinic or Augmentative Communications Clinics) as required.

Complete exam notes evaluation reports and recommendations funding applications statistics and other required paperwork in a timely fashion.

Follow-up with patients to ensure equipment is meeting needs.

Administration

Maintain electronic medical records describing all patient contacts and assessments.

Complete Assistive Devices Program (ADP) program funding applications for patients.

Work with booking coordinator to set appointment schedule.

Provide written reports as required.

Provide patient contact statistics as required for government reporting.

Technology

Conduct maintenance and troubleshooting including updates configurations malware anti-virus on demonstration equipment.

As technology changes the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist High Technology must keep abreast of changing technology for the visually impaired and be prepared to learn the use of new devices independently.

Participate in evaluation of vision aids equipment.

Submit requests annually for new demonstration equipment.

Act as a resource for other authorizers at Regional Assessment Centres and government staff sharing knowledge about devices and assessment protocols.

Teaching

Provide learning opportunities for optometry students interns and residents by participating in annual low vision lab and providing instruction to interns who sit in on assessments.

Explain role and technology aids to groups touring the clinic

Promote vision rehabilitation at health expos public education events and/or through workshops

Share technology updates with authorizers at Regional Assessment Centres.

Required Qualifications

Education

Post-secondary degree in Occupational Therapy Vision Science and/or certification as a Certified Low Vision Therapist Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist

Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

Must be licensed/registered with relevant professional college if applicable

As a condition of job offer would be required to provide a satisfactory police information check (original document) completed in the last 3 months.

Experience

Two years experience working with the elderly and individuals with a disability

Some experience working with individuals with vision loss. Experience can be a combination of work volunteer positions placements internships and co-op positions

Experience working in a health care environment

Will be required to complete training and registration as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) high technology authorizer

ADP Authorizer status would be an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Demonstrated competence in organizational skills and effective time management

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Able to teach and technical and non-technical skills to patients and adapt teaching method for individuals

Demonstrated critical thinking skills/problem-solving skills

Comfortable working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team

Ability to install troubleshoot and maintain computer hardware and software

Knowledge of accessibility features & software for computers

Able to demonstrate general computer configuration hardware and software basics and standard operating systems and built in accessibility features

Knowledge of visual system eye conditions and their impact is an asset

Knowledge of optical & non-optical equipment and intervention strategies is an asset

Knowledge of braille and braille adaptive devices is an asset

Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.